The House of Representatives has passed the 2020 budget for second reading.

The House had commenced debate on the general principles of the appropriations act on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented a spending plan of N10.3 trillion to the National Assembly, making next year’s proposed budget the country’s highest ever.

The proposal shows that about a quarter of the sum (N2.5 trillion) will be used for debt servicing, while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.1 trillion which excludes the capital component of statutory transfers.

A further breakdown presented by the president shows the expenditure estimate includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.8 trillion and provision for Sinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors is N296 billion.

The budget was prepared on the assumption of $57 per barrel with crude oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day and the exchange rate assumed at N305 to $1.

Other assumptions include real GDP growth of 2.93 per cent while “inflation is expected to remain slightly above single digits in 2020.”

Deliberations
On the first day of deliberations, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) raised a point of order stating that it was improper for the budget to be attended to without its breakdown.

“The budget is very very ‘unripe’ for hearing,” he said.

President Buhari had during his presentation on Tuesday stated that the minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, will provide the full details of the budget to the National Assembly

“The minister yet to provide us with the full details that will enable this budget to be ripe for hearing,” he told the house.

The Speaker then ruled Mr Chinda our of order, stating that the house does not need full details to debate on general principles.

“What the president laid yesterday was actually in line with our constitution.”

Concerns
During the continuation of debate on Thursday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), said he commended the fact “that this is one of the time that budget is brought in early.”

“The capital expenditure has been reduced from 2019, the debt servicing of 2.8trillion,” he said. “There is no country that can make progress with this. Health budget is (N)48 billion. How can we make progress? This time, we are putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

“Nigerians are burdened with so much tax, I believe the budget will not work. I believe the money bill should have been brought before this.

“I was House committee chairman for works, I stated that the commitment of the Ministry is N4 trillion of contract awarded. Any belief that the country will move forward with this budget is a mirage.”
Another lawmaker, Nnaji Nnoli, (PDP, Enugu) said he was concerned about the aviation sector.

“Out airports are our gateway, I believe our airport should be given attention, I do not believe that our aviation is getting enough.

“I believe that if we can consolidate the 25 per cent of FAAN IGR to the federal government, that will help the airports.

“We can have a 10 years plan for the funds to be used by FAAN. We can develop our airport,” he stated.
Benjamin Kalu, the House spokesperson, said he is in support of the bill “but that will not be right without speaking on the timing of the budget”.

“It helps the private sector to plan, as they know the direction the policy is going, I commend them, but we cannot discuss 2020 without discussing 2019.

“One of the man things is the digitisation of tax collection. Over the years, it has been difficult to meet our tax target, the current budget is proposing a new tax burden.

October 10, 2019Nasir Ayitogo
The House of Representatives has passed the 2020 budget for second reading.

The House had commenced debate on the general principles of the appropriations act on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented a spending plan of N10.3 trillion to the National Assembly, making next year’s proposed budget the country’s highest ever.

The proposal shows that about a quarter of the sum (N2.5 trillion) will be used for debt servicing, while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.1 trillion which excludes the capital component of statutory transfers.


A further breakdown presented by the president shows the expenditure estimate includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.8 trillion and provision for Sinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors is N296 billion.

The budget was prepared on the assumption of $57 per barrel with crude oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day and the exchange rate assumed at N305 to $1.

Other assumptions include real GDP growth of 2.93 per cent while “inflation is expected to remain slightly above single digits in 2020.”


Deliberations
On the first day of deliberations, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) raised a point of order stating that it was improper for the budget to be attended to without its breakdown.

“The budget is very very ‘unripe’ for hearing,” he said.

President Buhari had during his presentation on Tuesday stated that the minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, will provide the full details of the budget to the National Assembly.

“The minister yet to provide us with the full details that will enable this budget to be ripe for hearing,” he told the house.

The Speaker then ruled Mr Chinda our of order, stating that the house does not need full details to debate on general principles.

“What the president laid yesterday was actually in line with our constitution.”

Concerns
During the continuation of debate on Thursday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), said he commended the fact “that this is one of the time that budget is brought in early.”


“The capital expenditure has been reduced from 2019, the debt servicing of 2.8trillion,” he said. “There is no country that can make progress with this. Health budget is (N)48 billion. How can we make progress? This time, we are putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

“Nigerians are burdened with so much tax, I believe the budget will not work. I believe the money bill should have been brought before this.

“I was House committee chairman for works, I stated that the commitment of the Ministry is N4 trillion of contract awarded. Any belief that the country will move forward with this budget is a mirage.”

Another lawmaker, Nnaji Nnoli, (PDP, Enugu) said he was concerned about the aviation sector.

“Out airports are our gateway, I believe our airport should be given attention, I do not believe that our aviation is getting enough.

“I believe that if we can consolidate the 25 per cent of FAAN IGR to the federal government, that will help the airports.

“We can have a 10 years plan for the funds to be used by FAAN. We can develop our airport,” he stated.

Benjamin Kalu, the House spokesperson, said he is in support of the bill “but that will not be right without speaking on the timing of the budget”.

“It helps the private sector to plan, as they know the direction the policy is going, I commend them, but we cannot discuss 2020 without discussing 2019.

“One of the man things is the digitisation of tax collection. Over the years, it has been difficult to meet our tax target, the current budget is proposing a new tax burden.

“What this does to an emerging economy is that activities are reduced which causes unemployment and low productivity, which is like a cycle that will continue unless there is a paradigm shift,” he noted.

“The business environment… will it allow things to take place? It is important to copy from Rwanda. It is the first country that has started the manufacturing of smartphones from scratch.

“I commend the government for the shift to the non-oil sector,” he added.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/357005-just-in-reps-pass-2020-budget-for-second-reading.html/

Seriously

This senate will Neva reject anything

Thank God

Dogara won't like this

Budget that won't benefit the common man...

Senate take am.....

So long as there won't be cases of padding to the budget, I wholeheartedly support its quick passage as unnecessary bickering and delay over its passage serves no one any good.

This is what the majority have all been craving that was missing in the last tenure.


God bless Nigeria.

Hmmm

I don't believe ds to be true, let me call Mr speaker and confirm myself

sylve11:
Budget that won't benefit the common man...

Senate take am.....

Lol, you no read through.
It was HOUSE

do.we.make.use.of.budget.in.nigeria?

Abdulnur:


Lol, you no read through.
It was HOUSE

e get the one wey dey favor the common man?

Robber stamp Senate (R.S.S)

See rubber stamp legislators they no nothing other than to pass any nonsense in to law

martowskin1:
This senate will Neva reject anything

Confirmed rubber stamp house!

We have entered one chance bus!!!

NIGERIA HAS DEGENERATED, SOME OF THESE REPS. HAS NO IDEA HOW BUDGET WORKS OTHER THAN TO COLLECT THEIR FAT ALLOWANCE.

Did they take time to even review the budget? Abi dem just wan do am make the budget pass the reading?

Rimtim:
See rubber stamp legislators
they no nothing other than to pass any nonsense in to law

Really we should not be surprised with their actions.

Have you forgotten that scenario where Omo-Agege, deputy Senate President kneeling down, prostrating in front of camera for Buhari.

People should not get me wrong o, Buhari is older than him fine, but he should have done that behind the camera. He did that during official hours, or may be he does not understand the concept of separation of power.

Well, what we are witnessing should not be a surprise.

Mr president you did not mention anything about shelter and job creation wetin hapen?

Hope budget padding is scrutinized

While still waiting for the details of the budget, e don enter second reading.
Rubber stamp

Is high time we as a nation start developing various sectors to improve our economy, our crude oil isn't enough anymore. And besides why would the whole emphasis be on crude oil sells.

Is high time we start doing the real work to diversify our economy not mere sayin on radio and TV. Just like Rwanda, we can do better!.. Soon with the way oil discoveries is going and alternative ways to drive engine being discovered, our crude oil will become useless in the near future..

.Nigeria my country

Ok. It is noted.

martowskin1:
This senate will Neva reject anything

Yeah, we don't want grandstanding senate in this country again. We like it like this. No more expecting bribes

martowskin1:
This senate will Neva reject anything

So, rejection is what you hoped for? Good one sir!! By the way, since the earlier budgets have been rejected, how has it affected you?! Just curious

Thank God for this positive change..

mercyviv:

So, rejection is what you hoped for? Good one sir!! By the way, since the earlier budgets have been rejected, how has it affected you?! Just curious

U dey mind the mumu

As expected, rubber stamped house...